Bearing assembly with seal and shield

Abstract

A bearing assembly having inner and outer races with anti-friction elements therebetween and a grease seal at least at one end is provided with a shield between the races for shielding the races, anti-friction elements and grease seal from the entry of dirt, dust and other contaminants.

We claim: 
     
       1. A bearing assembly comprising: a bearing housing having an inner concave surface;   a bearing shaft;   an inner race connected to said bearing shaft;   an outer race spaced radially from said inner race with an outer convex surface complimentary to the surface of said housing and engaging said housing surface;   anti-friction means between said inner and outer races;   said races being adaptable to rotate relative to one another;   said bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged to accommodate misalignment of said shaft and said housing;   seal means between said inner and outer races for retaining lubricant therebetween and substantially preventing the ingress of dirt and other foreign matter thereinto;   a shield means connected to said inner race so as to rotate therewith and extending radially outwardly therefrom with a portion axially located opposite said outer race and in contact therewith;   said shield means being shaped to avoid interference with said housing in the event of shaft misalignment relative to said housing and substantially preventing the ingress of dirt and other foreign material between said shield means and said seal means.   
     
     
       2. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said shield means is located at opposite sides of said bearing assembly. 
     
     
       3. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said shield means is connected to said inner race by one or more set screws. 
     
     
       4. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said shield means is sealed to said inner race by an elastomer O-ring encircling said inner race. 
     
     
       5. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said shield means comprises a first part connected to said shaft and an anti-friction ring of a non-elastomeric material in sealing contact with said first part and with said outer race, said anti-friction ring permitting relative rotation between said first part and said outer race. 
     
     
       6. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 5, wherin said anti-friction ring means comprises a plastic ring, such as TEFLON. 
     
     
       7. A bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said shield means comprises a body portion connected to said inner race and an upper lip extending axially into close proximity to said outer race and further comprises a spring washer having a radially outer portion frictionally engaging said outer race and a inner portion connected to said body portion of said shield means, said upper lip extending axially over said outer portion of said spring washer, said spring washer being preloaded to insure said frictional contact with said outer race. 
     
     
       8. A bearing assembly comprising: a bearing housing;   a bearing shaft;   an inner race connected to said bearing shaft;   an outer race spaced radially from said inner race;   anti-friction means between said inner and outer races;   said races being receivable in said housing and being adaptable to rotate relative to one another;   said bearing being so constructed and arranged to accommodate misalignment of said shaft and said housing;   seal means between said inner and outer races for retaining lubricant therebetween and substantially preventing the ingress of dirt and other foreign matter thereinto;   a shield means comprising a pair of ceramic members, one member having a bull-nose portion and the other member having a concave cavity receiving said bull-nose portion, one member being connected to said inner race and another member extending radially outwardly therefrom to a location opposite said outer race and in close proximately thereto.   
     
     
       9. A bearing asembly as recited in claim 8, wherein said ceramic members are resiliently connected, respectively, to said inner race and to said outer race, said ceramic members and said resilient connection permitting misalignment of said bearing relative to said housing and relative rotation between said races.